THE daughter of Flintshire’s longest-serving councillor who died in 2009 has been striking gold in his memory.

Northop councillor Mel Higham died in September after a year long battle with cancer.

The Flintshire Council stalwart, who was executive member for industry and tourism, was diagnosed with the disease in 2008.

Now his daughter Vanessa, 18, has just completed her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award as part of a school scheme.

The Birkenhead High School pupil took part in a four-day hike in Snowdonia as part of the task.

Vanessa told the Leader: “We covered 50 miles in one hike which was pretty tough but we got to camp in between.

“I think my mum is really proud.”

The youngster, who plans to study politics at Lancaster University in September, makes a hat-trick of gold award holders in one family.

Cllr Higham was awarded Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards while a pupil at the Alun School in Mold.

His wife Beverley also scooped a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and Queen’s Guide in the 1970s.

Beverley added: “We now have some good news in the Higham house.”

Meanwhile, another youngster has been landing awards in Cllr Higham’s memory.
Ysgol Sychdyn, where Cllr Higham was a former pupil, has awarded year six pupil
William Haywood with the Mel Higham award.

Deputy headteacher Sue Thomas said: “It was the first time for this award and Friends of Ysgol Sychdyn decided it would be a fitting tribute in memory of late Mel
Higham, who was a former pupil, local councillor and a lifelong friend of the school.

“It was awarded to William for his attitude to school life and overcoming many challenges he has met during his life.”